DNV GL launches “Twisties” Joint Industry Project to standardise and improve offshore wind logistics
DNV GL, the world’s largest resource of independent energy experts and certification body, has launched a revolutionary new joint industry project (JIP) to develop a Recommended Practice intended to de-risk the adoption of “Twisties” and demonstrate the unitisation of wind project cargo. The innovative concept is called “Twisties” - a modular project-cargo transport frame system that is sea-fastened using container twist locks – and which gives the frames their name.
The increasing size and quantities of wind turbines installed offshore means that a change in requirements is needed for shipping project cargo between manufacturing and marshalling port facilities, and feeding wind turbine installation vessels offshore. Conventional feeder vessel operations have introduced many challenges, including operational limits on wave heights and wind speeds. DNV GL have identified that a fast feeder vessel using a RoRo (roll on, roll off) method of logistics transfer can avoid both wave-limits and the tight wind speed limits often associated with lifting blades offshore. It is this constant requirement for handling project cargo of a repeatable form, with bolted flange connections, which has brought about an industry desire to optimise and standardise transport logistics and sea-fastening arrangements.
The wind industry has made attempts at unitisation, such as grouping three blade sets into a ’unit’. Modular twist-lock, stackable blade racks are now commonplace on the decks of installation vessels. DNV GL has taken this concept and proposed an ingenious method for unitisation, by using modular transportation and sea fastening frames, based upon standard 20-foot cargo container twist-lock centres.
Transporting turbines and other wind farm components using “Twisties” are shown to significantly lower construction programme durations to ‘single season’ phases. It also allows for greater quantities of turbines to be installed using a defined number of wind turbine installation vessels. The concept demonstrates cost savings in some cases of above 25% compared to conventional installation practice.
DNV GL
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